We visited the Qantas Lounge Hong Kong several times over the years, and it remains an impressive lounge at Hong Kong International Airport. It’s stylish, comfortable, and usually much quieter than Cathay Pacific’s own lounges, which makes it a good alternative. Photos here are from different visits, including our recent one in October 2025, so the menus may vary slightly.

Location and access

The Qantas Lounge Hong Kong sits in Terminal 1, near Gate 5. If you’re coming straight from security, it appears almost immediately after the checkpoint. The entrance is tucked inside a narrow corridor that doesn’t look like much at first glance. We actually walked past it the first time we went looking, so it’s one of those spots where you only realise it’s there once you already know where to look.

As for access rules, Qantas keeps things slightly more layered than the usual oneworld policies. Beyond the standard oneworld policy, Qantas has its own eligibility tiers and exceptions. Anyone needing the exact rules is better off checking the official page.

Layout

After checking in, you walk straight into the bar. It’s the first thing you see, and it sets the tone of the lounge quite well. Bright, open, and visually polished.

The lounge was originally designed by SUMU Design and David Caon, with Caon also leading the more recent refresh to align it with Qantas’ newer look.

Past the bar is a lounging area with a mix of armchairs, sofas and high-top seats. Not every seat comes with a power socket, so if you need to charge devices, it’s worth taking a quick loop before settling in. It’s usually quiet here, especially during mid-afternoon lulls.

You might also spot a neon fortune cat near the entrance to the showers and toilets. It nods to the broader Asian culture, and especially Hong Kong, where the fortune cat symbolises prosperity and the idea of welcoming guests in.

Further in is the dining area, which feels more like a casual restaurant than a typical lounge buffet zone. Rows of tables, proper seating, and the food spread off to one side. This section tends to fill up quickly around evening departures to Australia.

Beyond the dining area, the lounge opens into another lounging section. This part has more working surfaces and co-working desks, which can be useful if you actually need to get things done. At the far end sits the Quench bar, where you can help yourself to infused waters or juices. It’s a nice touch, especially if you’re not in the mood for anything from the main bar.

There’s a discreet back gate leading directly into Cathay Pacific’s The Deck. It’s a one-way exit though, so if you use it, you’ll need to walk all the way back around to re-enter.

Food and drinks

One of the things that sets this lounge apart is the Plate of the Day. Qantas rotates it regularly, and over several visits, I’ve found the dishes surprisingly good. They tend to lean into Hong Kong favourites, so you get something that actually reflects the city rather than generic lounge food.

The plating is far above what you’d expect in an airport lounge. Even when the dish itself is simple, the presentation makes it feel more like something from an upscale restaurant.

At certain times, they will also roll out Hong Kong-style dim sum. The staff usually walks around in a dim sum cart and offers it directly at your seat, which is always a nice surprise if you weren’t expecting anything. The quality varies a bit depending on timing, but when they’re fresh, they’re very good.

There’s also a hot buffet with the usual mix of Western and Asian dishes, plus a small salad bar and a few desserts. In our most recent visit in October 2025, there were stir-fried prawns, fried rice, French beans, corn chowder, stir-fried Shanghai noodles and many other options you can see below.

The one thing you really shouldn’t skip is the cheesecake. It’s a lounge classic at this point, and consistently good.

If you walk all the way to the back of the lounge, you’ll find the Quench bar. It’s more self-service, mainly alcohol, plus infused waters, and a coffee machine. It’s practical, especially if you want a quick drink without walking back to the main bar.

The main bar sits near the entrance and sets the tone the moment you walk in. It’s a staffed bar, not just a counter with bottles. The menu has changed a few times over the years, but the cocktails made by the bartenders are usually solid, and the whole space has a nice buzz to it without getting too loud.

If alcohol isn’t your thing, you can also get barista-made coffee here, which is a nice option for an early morning flight.

We’ve also had some very good cocktails here on recent visits, although we couldn’t quite remember the names afterwards. The bartenders tend to be generous with recommendations, so it’s worth asking them what’s good that day.

Amenities

The lounge has multiple shower suites, and they’re very nicely designed, with a clean layout and enough space to move around without feeling cramped.

Each suite comes with its own toilet, which is always more convenient than setups where you have to leave the stall to find one. I can’t recall the brand of the toiletries, but they were decent quality and more than enough for a quick refresh before a long-haul flight.

There’s also usually no long wait for a shower, even during evening peaks.

Final thoughts

The Qantas Lounge Hong Kong continues to be one of the more dependable oneworld lounges at the airport. It strikes a nice balance between atmosphere, design, and food quality. The Plate of the Day and dim sum service give it a local touch that you don’t always find in other airline lounges, and the bar remains one of its strongest features.

What I appreciate most is how calm the lounge usually feels. Even during the evening Australia-bound departures, it never gets as hectic as the major Cathay Pacific lounges.

If you are flying on other oneworld airlines (including Cathay Pacific) and prefer something quieter, or simply want a change of scenery from the usual Cathay Pacific lounges, this is a very solid alternative. After multiple visits over the years, the experience has remained consistent, and that reliability alone makes it worth stopping by whenever you’re flying oneworld through Hong Kong.